Boiler for use in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine



S. VERNET Nov. 28, 1933.

BOILER FOR USE INTI-IE EXHAUST PIPE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Nov. 18, 1930 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 28, 1933 PATENT OFFICE BOILER FOR USE IN THE EXHAUST PIPE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Sergius Vernet, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Foster-Vernay Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of New York Application November 18, 1930 Serial No. 496,453

11 Claims.

My invention relates to a heating system which has as a source of heat a conduit for hot gases; and in which heat is transferred to the space to be heated by a fluid which is vaporized in a vapor generator and condensed in a radiator in the space referred to. I have discovered that a simple arrangement for thus transferring heat to the space which is to be heated may be provided by a vapor generator which is exposed to hot gases in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine and a radiator condenser which is arranged in the compartment to be heated. One form of such a system is shown in my Patent No. 1,705,550 dated March 19, 1929. The present invention relates more particularly to a further improvement in such a system which makes it a simple matter to insert the boiler in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, such as an automobile engine.

One object of my invention is to show how a heat exchange device may be readily assembled between sections of an exhaust pipe without cutting the pipe.

Another object of my invention is to provide an arrangement for inserting a vapor generator for absorbing heat from the hot exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, the generator being capable of being placed in operative position without cutting the exhaust pipe. A furth er object of my invention is to provide in a heating system of the type referred to in my patent an improved vapor generator which leaves an air space in the top of the generator at all times, so as to prevent damage from freezing of the liquid in the generator when the engine is shut down. More specific objects of my invention are to provide a vapor generator for use in a closed system which is so arranged that only a predetermined quantity of liquid can be poured 40 into the same, and in which, as a further feature, a wall thereof is made weaker than the rest of the apparatus so that a blow-out will occur at this point, if anywhere.

In the drawing in which for purposes of illustration and not as limiting my invention, I have shown one embodiment which the same may assume.

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a vapor generator embodying the principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line IIII of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the header of the vapor generator;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal longitudinal section through the header and showing a weakened end wall;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the exhaust of an internal combustion engine with which a vapor generator of the type shown in Fig. l is assembled; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional View through one leg of another embodiment of my improved vapor generator, in which there is no header.

Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional view on line VII-- VII of Fig. 5.

In the type of generator shown in the drawing, two conduits 6 and '7 are provided for connecting the generator in the circulation system for heating the desired compartment. Each conduit is in the embodiment shown, but a short length of pipe which extends from the generator; and a union or other connection 8 is provided for connecting each of the pipes 6 and 7 to the ends of the lines leading to the radiator.

My generator is particularly well adapted to absorb heat from hot gases flowing through a conduit. I prefer to arrange a portion of the generator within the conduit, and another portion thereof outside of the conduit, the latter portion being arranged to drain into the first mentioned portion by gravity. Assuming that the conduit is cold, liquid will be held within the vapor generator and a portion of the liquid will be within the conduit, and a portion will be without the conduit where it is not directly acted upon by any heat from the conduit. Assuming now that the flow of hot gases through this conduit is started, the liquid in the portion of the generator which is within the conduit is heated and comes in a short time to boiling point. As more and more of the liquid boils off, the amount of liquid in the generator is decreased, but no matter how low the level of the liquid may drop, this liquid will tend to go into the portion of the generator which is within the conduit. It may be that practically all of the liquid will be vaporized, and in this case the generator will act substantially like a flash boiler. It is apparent, therefore, that the ability of the generator to absorb heat from the hot gases and vaporize liquid for the system is not decreased until so much of the liquid has been vaporized that the portion of the generator which is within the conduit is not completely filled with liquid. It is this portion which is within the conduit which is the last to be freed of liquid and, therefore, it is not until substantially all of the liquid in the system has been vaporized that this portion of the generator is freed of liquid. 116

I have found that a suitable type of generator which operates in the manner just described may be constructed by joining to a header 10 one or more water tubes. In the form shown in Figs. 1-5 of the drawing, I employ a pair of tubes 11 and 12 which extend through a side wall of the header 10 and slope downwardly therefrom. The tubes extend through a flanged collar 13, and are then bent downwardly so as to extend longitudinally of the conduit. The lower ends of the tubes are connected together at 14 so that communication is established between the two tubes 11 and 12 at their lower ends. In the embodiment shown, the two tubes 11 and 12, together with the connection 14, constitute a U- tube having a portion thereof arranged vertically in the conduit, and the upper portions thereof bent to extend through a wall of the conduit, in this particular instance the collar 13.

The openings in the side of the collar 13 through which the tubes 11 and 12 extend are sealed, welding apparatus being one suitable means for accomplishing this. The collar 13 and the tubes 11 and 12 are thus joined together to constitute a unit which may be readily inserted in the exhaust conduit of the engine of an automobile such as the Ford automobile. The manner of doing this will be later described.

The header is, in the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 1-5, cylindrical in shape. As shown in Fig. 4, one end 15 is formed of relatively thin metal and is bent convexly so as to promote a blowout at this point should the pressure in the system become too great. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the convex shape of the end of the heater has the opposite effect from a concave, the convex shape facilitating a blow-out rather than acting against the same. The end 15 may be positioned in the end of the cylindrical header 10 by welding.

In Fig. 3 it will be noted that the pipe 6 extends into the interior of the header 10. When water or a vaporizable liquid of suitable composition is poured into the vapor generator through either the pipe 6 or the pipe '7, the level of the liquid cannot rise above the bottom end of the tube through which air is permitted to escape so as to admit the liquid. Accordingly, the manufacturer can determine the amount of liquid which the generator will hold by causing the pipes to extend a certain amount into the header 10.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a portion of an internal combustion engine 16 having a conduit 17 for exhaust gases, this being the exhaust manifold. A clamp 19 is customarily provided to clamp to the manifold 17 another section 18 of the conduit for the exhaust gases, this section 18 being the customary exhaust pipe leading to the mufiler. In order to insert the collar 13 as I a portion of the conduit for the exhaust gases,

and connect the same in operative relation to the sections 17 and 18, an additional clamp 20 is supplied. The clamp 19 is loosened, permitting the exhaust pipe 18 to drop down a short distance. The collar 13 is then inserted between the sections 17 and 18; and is clamped between the two by means of the clamps 19 and 20 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5. The vertical portions of the tubes 11 and 12 extend downwardly within the conduit 17. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the engine 16 is running, the exhaust gases will heat up liquid in the tubes 11 and 12, and cause a circulation of heating fluid within the heating system above referred to.

My invention provides a vapor generator assembled with a collar to constitute a unit which may be readily inserted in the exhaust conduit of an internal combustion engine. There is an important advantage in using my improved unit, in that the sections of the conduit are but slightly disturbed. Moreover, it is not necessary to cut the exhaust pipe of the engine, with the further advantage that the conduit sections make a tight fit with the inserted unit; and there is no leakage of exhaust gases.

It will be readily appreciated that if but a small member is to be inserted between the sections of the exhaust conduit (and this is of importance in order not to disarrange the conduit), my improved device has a marked advantage over the prior devices which have been proposed, inasmuch as the boiler itself is not limited in extent to the new portion of the conduit which is inserted. But a relatively low output of vapor would be possible with a generator contained within a small member such as the collar 13. My improved generator, on the other hand, extends for a sufficient distance within the exhaust pipe 18 to provide ample capacity for the intended purpose.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention according to which the condensate from the radiator is delivered directly to a U-tube without first passing through a heater such as the one employed in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5. In order to more clearly illustrate the structure of this embodiment, the collar is omitted; but it is to be understood that a collar similar to the one shown at 13 in Fig. l is to be employed so that the U-tube may be inserted in a conduit for hot gases. The two legs 21 of the U-tube shown in Fig. 6 are similar; and, therefore, but one of these will be described. At the end of the leg is a bent portion which extends through the collar 13. At the end of this portion is a connection 22 similar to'the one shown at 8 in Fig. 1. A tube 23 extends down within the leg from the connections 22, and limits the amount of water which may be poured into the U-tube. Both legs of the U-tube are provided with a tube 23. It will be noted that this embodiment of my invention has the 125 same advantage as the other embodiment, namely, that the quantity of liquid which may be poured into the same is limited.

It will be apparent that my invention provides a generator which will efliciently absorb heat from hot gases passing through a conduit. It will furthermore be apparent that my improved generator is so arranged that the water level in the generator cannot rise above a predetermined level, thereby leaving an expansion space above the water level at all times. Accordingly, no material damage is done by freezing, since no bursting of the generator results so long as there is an expansion space above the water. It will furthermore be apparent that my improved apparatus has the advantage that it protects the radiator and other parts of the system which are adjacent the passenger compartment y from danger of a blow-out, the escape of steam,

due to any possible blow-out, being localized in 145 a place where it can do the least damage. It will furthermore beapparent that my improved apparatus reduces to a minimum the possibility of excess pressure, since the amount of liquid which can be placed in the system is determined 1.50

by the manufacturer before the apparatus is sold and, therefore, the amount of liquid to be used in the system is not left to the discretion or lack of discretion on the part of the purchaser.

While I have illustrated and described two specific forms of vapor generator, it will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular construction and arrangement shown, but may be variously modified within the contemplation of the invention and under the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A vapor generator adapted to be inserted between sections of a conduit for hot gases, comprising a collar flared at its ends, a boiler carried by the collar, and means for clamping the flared ends in place.

2. A vapor generator adapted to be inserted between sections of a conduit for hot gases, comprising an integral collarfiared at its ends, a tubular boiler partly contained Within the collar and extending through the wall thereof and means for clamping each end of the collar to its respective section of the conduit.

3. The combination with a sectional conduit of an integral collar inserted between two sections of the conduit, said collar being flared at its ends, a boiler welded in the collar, and means for clamping the collar to said two sections.

4. A vapor generator unit adapted to be inserted between sections of a conduit for hot gases comprising a flanged collar, and a boiler disposed partly within the collar.

5. In combination, a U-tube, a header connect-' ed to the ends of the U-tube, a connection for the flow of vapor from the header, and a connection for the return of condensate to the header, one

of said connections projecting a predetermined vertical distance into the header to limit the amount of liquid which may be poured into the same.

6. A vapor generator comprising a water tube, and a cylindrical header connected to said water tube, said header having a weakened end wall for limiting the pressure stored in the system.

'7. In combination, a conduit, and a vapor generator for absorbing heat from gases passing through said conduit, said generator having a header outside said conduit, said header being provided with aweakened wall for limiting the pressure stored in the system.

8. In combination with a conduit for hot gases, a vertical U-tube with the upper portions of its two members bent on an upward outward slope to extend outside of the conduit.

9. In combination with a conduit for hot gases, a vertical U-tube with the upper portions of its two members bent on an upward outward slope to extend outside of the conduit, and a header connected to the ends of the U-tube.

10. In combination, a boiler, and connections for the flow of vapor from the boiler and the return of condensate to the boiler, said connections projecting a predetermined vertical distance into the boiler to prevent the filling of the boiler when cold with liquid above a predetermined level.

11. In combination in a vapor generator, a water tube, a header, and means for circulating vapor from and condensate back to the header comprising a conduit projecting a predetermined vertical distance into the header to limit the amount of liquid which may be poured into the same.

SERGIUS VERNET. 

